Question

Current computers only work in two states (on or off, 1 or 0, etc.), where an object is represented by some number of cells, each of which is in one of the two states. One of the exciting aspects of quantum computing is that there can be 3 possible states (on, off, or unknown) for each cell. The total number of objects that can be identified by a fixed number of cells is the total number of permutations of the states in the cells. How many complete cells in a quantum computer would be necessary to show the same number of objects that can be shown in a current computer with 20 memory cells?

Answer 1

@dpaInc @ganeshie8 Please help?

Answer 2

\[2^{20} = 3^x\]

solve for x

Answer 3

This has to be done without a calculator by the way.

Answer 4

ohh ok... then we have to do trial and test i think

actually, we need to pick a value for "x" such that it can represent >= 2^20 permutations

Answer 5

I don't really get why 2^20 would equal the total objects of a current computer.

Answer 6

20 cells and 2 possible states give us 2^20 permutations. simple, right ?

Answer 7

if we can use 3 states, number cells will decrease..
to find out the minimum number of cells required, we need to solve the above equation..

i dont see a way escaping that exponent equation... .:(

Answer 8

Wouldn't that be 2(20)? Or 20P2? Not sure. I'll post the explanation that they posted in a second.

Answer 9

is the answer 13 ?

Answer 10

ok.. pls post

Answer 11

Yup.

Answer 12

yh.. they used logs.... guessing is difficult i suppose...

Answer 13

current computer :
1 cell : 2 permutations
2 cell : 4 permutations
3 cell : 8 permutatiosn
4 cell : 16 permutations.
.... 20 cell : 2^20 permutations

u see ?

Answer 14

Yeah, I think so.

Answer 15

Alright Thank you! I guess it's just a guess and check method?

Answer 16

yeah... looks so !!

Answer 17

Alright. Thanks!

Answer 18

yw :) :)